Parallels has released Parallels Toolbox 3.5 for Windows and Mac. This suite of over 30 tools is designed to make using PCs and Macs easier.
“We’ve been listening to PC and Mac users who want new tools that can simplify their lives,” said Nick Dobrovolskiy, Senior VP of Engineering and Support at Parallels.
“We’ve added Break Time, Energy Saver, Hide Menu Icons, Clipboard History, and Sleep Timer to the dozens of other one-click solutions already available. These tools make Parallels Toolbox an essential, all-in-one application for businesses and individuals who value their time and money.”
Here are some of the new and important Parallels Toolbox tools for both PC and Mac:
New Tools in Parallels Toolbox 3.5 for Windows
Energy Saver
This tool activates various settings, some hidden, that reduce the use of system resources and prolong battery life, saving up to 8% in power consumption. It automatically detects when your computer is using the battery and gives you the choice to enable or disable these options.
[Watch a video demo](http://youtube.com/embed/rvguXNUwZXU?rel=0)): Energy Saver – Parallels Toolbox for Windows
Break Time
This tool provides regular reminders to step away from your computer and take a break. You can customize it to remind you every 30 to 50 minutes, with breaks lasting between one and 15 minutes.
[Watch a video demo](http://youtube.com/embed/up-BqI6WV20?rel=0): Break Time – Parallels Toolbox for Windows
Download Audio
Download a single audio file from a variety of websites. You can also download playlists from YouTube.
New Tools in Parallels Toolbox 3.5 for Mac
Clipboard History
Keeps a record of everything copied to your Mac’s clipboard, including both plain and formatted text. It offers a full-text search, the ability to save your favorites, and settings that allow you to gather content for up to 30 days. You can also temporarily stop the collection or exclude specific applications.
[Watch a video demo](http://youtube.com/embed/0gtFq3ZWOYI?rel=0): Clipboard History – Parallels Toolbox for Mac.
Hide Menu Icons
Allows you to hide certain icons from the Mac menu bar by setting up two groups of menu-bar icons: visible and invisible. This means less important icons only appear when you click the tool’s control in the Mac menu bar. These hidden icons disappear when you return to working with applications from the control menu.
[Watch a video demo](http://youtube.com/embed/ftvkI4sI3WI?rel=0)): Hide Menu Icons – Parallels Toolbox for Mac
Energy Saver
Activates various settings, including hidden ones, to reduce system resource usage and extend battery life, potentially saving up to 8% in power consumption. When running on battery, it automatically detects your computer’s state and allows you to enable or disable certain options.
[Watch a video demo](http://youtube.com/embed/8cJkdn1CLp8?rel=0): Energy Saver – Parallels Toolbox for Mac.
Sleep Timer
This tool allows you to set a timer for your computer to sleep or shut down after a certain amount of time, ranging from 15 minutes to six hours. Just press “Start,” and the timer begins, helping you conserve energy.
[Watch a video demo](http://youtube.com/embed/3wucfwN4rt8?rel=0): Sleep Timer – Parallels Toolbox for Mac
Updates for Existing Tools in Parallels Toolbox for Windows
Saving Files
The settings for saving files have been moved from the main Parallels Toolbox application to the individual tools themselves. This makes managing your file-saving preferences easier.
Screenshots Markup
This update features better integration with system tools for marking up screenshots and enhanced editing options.
Improvements for Existing Tools in Parallels Toolbox for Mac
Clean Drive
You can now preview the files that are going to be deleted. You also have the option to locate these files in Finder, giving you more control and transparency.
Find Duplicates
This update allows you to select multiple duplicate files at once. This makes it easier to see the total size of the duplicates and simplifies the process of sorting them.
Productivity Tools in Parallels Toolbox for Mac and Windows 3.5:
Streamlined Screen Video/Audio Management
You can easily adjust the default settings of the tools to record video with your preferred audio source or to take screenshots in your desired format with a single click.
Convert Video
To make videos compatible with tablets and phones, simply drag them onto the tool to convert them to MP4 format.
[Watch a video demo](http://youtube.com/embed/K2HleY0dqQw?rel=0)): How to Convert Video to MP4 on My Mac
Take Photo
Use your PC or Mac camera to snap photos. These images are automatically saved to a designated location, such as your desktop or a specific folder.
Resize Images
Batch convert images to the desired file size and format. Simply drag the original images into the tool’s window, choose your desired output format (options include .HEIF, JPEG, TIFF, and PNG), select the dimensions/size, specify the output location, and click to start the process.
[Watch a video demo](http://youtube.com/embed/61NajoBm_2c?rel=0): Resize Images - Parallels Toolbox for Windows.
Capture Screen
Capture a screenshot of your entire screen by clicking anywhere. The image is then automatically saved in a format of your choice (PNG, JPEG, TIFF, or GIF) to your desktop or a folder you have selected.
Improved Presentations and Screen Sharing
Hide Desktop
Instantly tidy up your desktop and hide distracting files with a single click, rather than removing each one individually. This feature hides files, folders, and icons on the desktop, creating a clean and organized look for presentations.
[Watch a video demo](http://bit.ly/HideDesktopPR): How to Quickly Hide Icons and Files on My Mac Desktop.
Do Not Disturb
Disable notifications and Dock animations from running applications with one click, preventing interruptions during work or presentations.
Do Not Sleep
Keep your computer awake and prevent it from going to sleep by disabling all system sleep settings with just one click.
Launch
Open multiple applications and files needed for a project with a single click. Drag the files, whether they are applications, documents, folders, links, or other files, to the tool’s window. This creates a sequence that will automatically open in order the next time you click the tool’s icon.
Enhanced PC and Mac Productivity
Archive
Create compressed, password-protected archives of your files from various locations. This helps save space or allows you to easily share files with others. Simply drag the files and folders to the tool’s window, eliminating the need to move or copy them to a single folder.
Unarchive
Quickly unpack archives in various file compression formats, such as RAR, RPM, XAR, and Z, including those not supported by the built-in system utility. Double-click the archived files to open the unarchive tool and begin unpacking. This feature even works for password-protected archives.
Uninstall Apps
Remove applications and their associated files effortlessly with just a single click. This allows for quick and easy uninstallation.
[Demo video](http://youtube.com/embed/hOFoLcHQvEo?rel=0)): Uninstall Apps - Parallels Toolbox for Mac
Additional Details:
Free trials for both Parallels Toolbox 3.5 for Windows and Mac are available now. These are standalone products available at parallels.com/toolbox.
You can purchase each product for US$19.99 per year. This annual license includes free updates for new and improved tools released several times throughout the year.
Parallels has improved its customer referral rewards program. When trial users or subscribers refer a friend to try Parallels Toolbox at parallels.com/toolbox, both the existing user and their friend receive a complimentary three-month subscription.